Uche Nwosu, a son-in-law to a former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has explained the circumstances surrounding his recent controversial arrest by the police.
Nwosu, who was Chief of Staff to Okorocha, had been whisked away while attending a church service in his hometown, Eziama Obieri in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State, by hooded police operatives on Sunday.
Photos that surfaced on Twitter showed shirtless Nwosu in handcuffs inside a vehicle.
But speaking through a statement signed by his media aide, Chikezie Nwadike, the embattled politician said he was “fine” after being released less than 24 hours after his arrest.
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According to the statement, there is no truth behind insinuations that the police arrested him because he spurned previous invitations extended to him.
The statement described his forceful arrest by the police as an “abduction”.
Nwosu, who contested for the seat of Imo governor in 2019, challenged the police or anyone else to provide documented proof of his supposed invitation.
The statement read in part, “This is to inform the general public, friends and well-wishers, supporters and sympathizers that Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, who was abducted by security agencies while observing church service at St Peter’s Anglican Church Umunwokwe Village Eziama-Obaire Nkwerre LGA, has regained his freedom and released unconditionally. He never spent a night in their custody as every effort was put in place to get him out.
“Recall the ugly incident that took place yesterday, 26th December 2021, at St Peter’s Anglican Church as security operatives swooped him inside the church during the outing service of his mother’s burial and whisked him away amidst sporadic shootings and harassment of the congregation.
“I have spoken with him and he extended his greetings to all of us out there.
“While we await a Police report on the reasons for the abduction and arrest, we call on everyone to remain calm and focused because God is in charge of the whole situation.
“Ugwumba Uche Nwosu is a perfect gentleman who has great deal of respect for constituted authorities and has never for once caught up in civil disobedience. There was never an invitation and if anyone says otherwise, let the person come forth with evidence.”
Recall that Okorocha had described the manner of Nwosu’s arrest as the “worst humiliation of my life”.
“My wife was pushed down and my daughter’s clothes were torn into pieces by the policemen who came into the church to arrest Uche Nwosu with no warrant of arrest,” Okorocha had told reporters shortly after the arrest.